L14: Patients Experiencing Surgery Flashcards
what is a major surgery?
surgery that involves extensive reconstruction or alteration in the body
e.g. CABG surgery
what is a minor surgery?
surgery that involves minimal alteration in body parts
e.g. cataract surgery
what is an elective surgery?
non-life-saving surgery done because of patient choice
e.g. bunionectomy
what is an urgent surgery?
surgery that is necessary for patient health but not an emergency
e.g. gall bladder removal
what is an emergency surgery?
a surgery that must be done immediately
e.g. repair of a burst appendix
what is a diagnostic surgery?
surgical exploration to diagnose problem
e.g. laparotomy
what is an ablative surgery?
excision or removal of a diseased body part
e.g. amputation or removal of appendix
what is a palliative surgery?
surgery that relieves or reduces intensity of disease symptoms but does not cure
e.g. colostomy or debridement of necrotic tissue
what is reconstructive/restorative surgery?
surgery that restores function or appearance to traumatized or malfunctioning tissues
e.g. internal fixation of a fracture or scar revision
what is procurement for transplant surgery?
removal of tissue or organs from a deceased person for use in another person
e.g. kidney, heart
what is constructive surgery?
surgery that restores function lost or reduced due to congenital anomalies
e.g. cleft palate repair
what is cosmetic surgery?
surgery meant to improve personal appearance
e.g. rhinoplasty
how are surgeries classified(3)?
1) seriousness
2) urgency
3) purpose
what are the subclassifications of surgical seriousness(2)?
1) major
2) minor
what are the subclassifications of surgical urgency(3)?
1) elective
2) urgent
3) emergency
what are the subclassifications of surgical purpose(7)?
1) diagnostic
2) ablative
3) palliative
4) reconstructive/restorative
5) procurement for transplant
6) constructive
7) cosmetic
what are surgical risk factors(9)?
1) smoking
2) age
3) nutrition
4) obesity
5) obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
6) immunosuppression
7) fluid and electrolyte imbalance
8) post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV)
9) venous thromboembolism (VTE)
cigarette smoking by surgical patients is associated with which perioperative complications(2)?
1) respiratory problems
2) poor wound healing
very young and older patients are at greater surgical risk. why?
immature or declining physiological status
risk of surgical mortality increases as the patient’s weight increases, why?
primarily due to ventilatory and cardiac function
why are surgical patients with OSA at increased risk
back-lying, sedatives, analgesics, and general anesthesia causes relaxation of upper airway and can lead to severe apnea and hypoxia
immunosuppressed patients undergoing surgery are at increased risk of…
developing an infection after the surgery
A patient who is hypovolemic preoperatively or who has serious electrolyte alterations is at significant risk when?
both during and after surgery
post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) can lead to what(3)?
1) pulmonary aspiration
2) dehydration
3) arrhythmias
these result from fluid and electrolyte imbalances
which patients are most at risk for developing venous thromboembolism(3)?
1) those who undergo surgeries under total anesthetic and surgical time >90 minutes; 60 minutes for pelvis or lower limb surgeries
2) acute surgical admissions with inflammatory or intraabdominal conditions
3) those with significant mobility reduction post op
in the preoperative surgical phase, what is involved with assessment(15)?
1) determine pt’s expectations of surgery and recovery
2) include info about advanced directives
3) screen for conditions that increase surgical risks
4) check for complications in prior surgeries
5) risk factors
6) medications
7) allergies
8) smoking, alcohol, and substance use
9) pregnancy
10) perceptions and knowledge regarding surgery
11) sources of support
12) occupation
13) preop pain assessment
14) review of emotional health
15) cultural and spiritual factors
what is malignant hyperthermia?
an inherited life-threatening condition that can occur during surgery
what food allergies have shown a cross sensitivity to latex?
1) bananas
2) chestnuts
3) kiwi
4) avocadoes
5) potatoes
6) strawberries
7) nectarines
8) tomatoes
9) wheat
plan aggressive pulmonary hygiene for surgical patients who smoke, including(3):
1) more frequent turning
2) breathing and coughing exercises
3) incentive spirometry
patients with a history of excessive alcohol use are often…
malnourished
what does providing education about pain do to preoperative anxiety?
it reduces preoperative anxiety which is frequently associated with postoperative pain.
what is involved with a review of a preop patient’s emotional health(3)?
1) self-concepts
2) body image
3) coping resources
what are some physiological effects of stress?
activation of endocrine system results in release of hormones and catecholamines which increases:
1) BP
2) HR
3) RR
- platelet aggregation also occurs
Common nursing diagnoses relevant to the patient having surgery include:
Ineffective airway clearance
Anxiety
Ineffective Coping
Impaired skin integrity
Risk for aspiration
Risk for perioperative positioning injury
Risk for infection
Deficient knowledge (specify)
Impaired physical mobility
Ineffective thermoregulation
Nausea
Acute pain
Delayed surgical recovery
a pregnant patient only has surgery on what basis?
only on an emergent or urgent basis due to the increased risk of complications
a partial or complete physical assessment is performed on a patient going in to surgery. what does the type of physical exam depend on?
it depends on the amount of time available and the patients preop condition
what does preoperative vitals provide?
baseline data
who should you notify if the patient has an elevated temperature?
the surgeon
what does assessment of the mucous membranes provide?
reveals the level of a patient’s hydration; dehydration increases risk of surgical complications
what are the three primary causative factors of DVT?
Virchow’s Triad:
1) venous stasis
2) vessel wall injury
3) hypercoagulability
why is assessing a baseline neurological status important?
assists with assessment of ascent (awakening) from anesthesia
what is involved with a preoperative assessment of the abdomen?
1) size
2) shape
3) symmetry
4) presence of distention
when will a patients blood type be assessed?
elective surgery - 1 to 7 days before surgery
what is autotransfusion?
reinfusion of a patient’s own blood (more common than transfusions today)
patients requiring emergent surgery often…
experience changes in their physiology status that require urgent reprioritizations
when should nurses review and modify their plans when dealing with surgical patients?
during the intraoperative and postoperative periods
what needs to happen before a surgery can legally and ethically take place?
what is the exception?
a patient needs to fully understand the surgical procedure and all of its implications
the exception is emergency situations
before a surgery is performed, where must a copy of consent be documented?
in the patient’s medical record
what must the surgeon explain before informed consent is given(6)?
1) the procedure
2) associated risks
3) benefits
4) alternatives
5) possible complications
6) who will perform the procedure
what are health promotion activities in the preoperative phase(5)?
1) preoperative teaching
2) postoperative activity resumption
3) pain-relief measures
4) rest
5) feelings regarding surgery